How to Improve SQL Skills in 2025

Key takeaways 

SQL (Structured Query Language) skills have become a valuable asset in today’s data-driven world. Having a strong command of SQL can help you work more efficiently, obtain deeper insights from data, and make better decisions. Here are some important things to know:

• In fact, SQL ranks among the top five programming languages used by developers worldwide, with 51 percent of developers preferring to use it [1]. 

• The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that data science roles, which require SQL skills, will grow by 36 percent from 2023 to 2033, significantly faster than other professions [2]. 

• Like any technical skill, building your SQL skills will require time, practice, and the right strategies.

Explore how to improve your SQL skills, the different levels of SQL skills you can aim for, and some potential jobs you can get with advanced SQL skills. Then, consider enrolling in the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, where you’ll learn the tools, languages, and libraries used by professional data scientists, including Python and SQL.

Which SQL skills should you improve?

SQL skills refer to your proficiency in using SQL and are categorized into three levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. Different jobs may require varying levels of proficiency—most nontechnical teams typically require a basic understanding of SQL, whereas data science roles often necessitate more advanced SQL skills. The time it takes you to reach each level can depend on factors like your learning style, programming experience, and the time you can dedicate to studying.

Basic SQL skills

Time required to reach this level: Two weeks without programming experience, less than a week with programming experience

Skills: 

• Fundamentals of databases: Knowledge of what databases are, their uses, and their role in an organization

• Basic SQL syntax: Understanding of SELECT and FROM commands to retrieve specific data from databases 

• Conditional filters: Knowledge of how to filter data in tables using WHERE, AND, and OR and organize data using GROUP BY and ORDER BY

Intermediate SQL skills

Time required to reach this level: Three to four weeks without programming knowledge, one to two weeks with programming knowledge 

Skills:

• Joins: Mastery of the different types of JOIN commands to merge data from multiple tables and knowing when to use each type

• Subqueries: Ability to use subqueries, which are queries within queries, to integrate data from different tables and retrieve complex data with a single query

• Indexes: Knowledge of indexes, how to create them, and their advantages in increasing record retrieval speed and improving query performance

• Aggregate functions: Proficiency in using SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX, and COUNT functions to efficiently analyze and summarize large data sets 

Advanced SQL skills

Time required to reach this level: One to two months without programming knowledge; a year or more to become fully proficient 

Skills:

• Window functions: Ability to use window functions such as ROW_NUMBER and RANK to perform iterative calculations across a group of rows while keeping the row data unchanged

• Common Table Expressions (CTEs): Proficiency in using temporary result sets, or CTEs, to simplify complex queries, thus improving code readability and query performance

• Execution plans: Expertise in using execution plans to understand the efficiency of queries and troubleshoot underperforming queries

• Backup databases: Knowledge of creating backup databases, the different types of backups, and when and how to implement them to protect against damage or corruption

How to improve SQL skills?

Before you improve your SQL skills, you should consider the SQL skill level you’re currently at and the level you want to get to. You should also consider why you want to improve your skills, your learning style, whether you need to acquire any programming skills beforehand, and the amount of time you can dedicate daily to enhance your skills. Once you have thought through these aspects, you can follow the strategies below to get an idea of how to go about improving your SQL skills.

Master query optimization.

Query optimization involves improving the performance of SQL queries. By knowing how to optimize queries, you can improve application performance for users, reduce resource consumption, and ensure scalability.

You can employ various methods to optimize queries, including the following:

• Effective indexing: Use indexes effectively to quickly locate data and reduce search time, but avoid excessive indexing 

• Optimizing SELECT statements: Use appropriate SELECT statements to extract only necessary data.

• Choosing the right Joins: Use the correct type of JOINs to avoid creating duplicates in the data set. 

• Using stored procedures and execution plans: Use stored procedures to make reusable pieces of SQL code, saving time for repeated queries; use execution plans to identify and correct issues with the SQL server optimizer and query engine.

• Monitor query performance: Identify which queries require optimization by monitoring the runtime of your queries, database logs, and other statistics. 

Practice on online platforms.

A common challenge learners face when building their SQL skills is a lack of experience working with real-world data sets. You can overcome this problem by practicing your SQL skills on online platforms. These platforms allow you to practice with data obtained from real-life scenarios and actual business contexts, building your experience with SQL in professional roles. Additionally, online platforms may also offer interactive code editors, real-time feedback, and progress tracking. Overall, practicing SQL on online platforms can expose you to the diverse applications and complexities of SQL. Some popular platforms to consider include HackerRack, SQLPad, StrataScratch, and SQLBolt.

Take part in coding challenges.

Participating in coding challenges can help you develop critical thinking skills and effective strategies for writing SQL queries. Consistently practicing your SQL skills through coding challenges can help you understand and effectively execute SQL concepts. Platforms like HackerRank, SQLZoo, and GitHub offer coding challenges tailored to various skill levels.

Work on guided projects.

Guided projects are a great way to refine your SQL skills. By practicing how to write SQL code in a guided, structured way, you can hone the SQL concepts you’ve learned and build your confidence in using these skills independently. Some guided projects you can consider include Understanding Basic SQL Syntax or Advanced Relational Database and SQL, both offered on Coursera. 

Build your own projects.

Working on personal projects can help you hone your technical and problem-solving skills in SQL. You can build your own project around real-world data sets of your choosing, which will equip you with the practical skills to extract useful insights in data roles. You can start small at first and work on topics that align with your interests and goals. As you gain more experience, you can take on more complex topics. For example, you can build a personal project to analyze your shopping patterns or build a database for inventory management. 

Take an online course.

If you want to create a strong foundation of SQL concepts, you might opt for a structured online course. Online courses allow you to learn at your own pace, providing flexibility in terms of time management. Courses that let you type in code to get instant feedback while learning can also be quite helpful, as you can identify your mistakes and correct them immediately. Additionally, SQL courses that provide a certificate after completion can help you advance your career by validating your skills. You can research courses to suit your specific needs and skill level, or you can consider one of the following options on Coursera:

• SQL: A Practical Introduction for Querying Databases by IBM

• SQL for Data Science by the University of California, Davis

• Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL) by The University of Michigan

Join a boot camp

Joining a boot camp to learn SQL skills can be a quick way of preparing for a career in data science. Boot camps provide a range of advantages for learners. They provide important SQL skills through structured lessons, allow you to obtain practical training at your own pace, help you build in-demand skills through projects, and offer career services and job hunting skills. If you’re thinking of joining an SQL boot camp, you can take a look at the following options:

• Microsoft Azure SQL Bootcamp 

• Oracle Databases for Developers: Foundations

• NYIM SQL Bootcamp

Get certified.

A SQL certification will confirm your skills in writing and optimizing queries and managing databases for potential employers. If you don’t have time to earn a college degree but still want to showcase your SQL skills on your resume, earning a certification might be the way to go. As a certified SQL professional, you can even improve your career prospects and negotiate higher salaries. Take a look at the following certifications offered by some major database providers:

• Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate

• Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals

• EDB PostgreSQL 12 Associate Certification

Build your data science career with Coursera

Whether you’re just getting started or taking your next big step, we’re here to help. Subscribe to Career Chat for current industry insights. Or, explore these other free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Data Analyst vs. Data Scientist: Breaking Down the Roles

• Hear from an expert: 6 Questions with an IBM Data Scientist and AI Engineer

• Take the quiz: SQL Skill Assessment

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses. 

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